Band Bio:
The PJ Bidwell Band is a Tucson, Arizona–based alt-country outfit rooted in raw storytelling and gritty Americana. Fronted by singer-songwriter PJ Bidwell, the band channels the spirit of the Southwest and the honesty of the dive bar stage, drawing comparisons to American Aquarium, Chris Knight, and Hayes Carll.
Known for high-energy live shows and emotionally direct songwriting, PJ has shared the stage with Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, The Wilder Blue, Drew Cooper, J.D. Graham, Shane Britt, Miles Nielsen, Jay Allan, Austin B. Sweeney, Laura Hamlin, Dead Hot Workshop, Jim Bachmann, Jason DeVore, Trashy Annie (who we did interview here at the magazine), Mamma Coal, and more.
Beyond the full band, PJ also co-leads the indie acoustic Americana duo Pelican Museum with Kiana Carter, exploring a more stripped-down, lyrical sound. Songs like “Miss California,” “Couldn’t Take Her,” “Frustrated,” and “River Bank” highlight that side of his writing.
My Review
“Culebra”, released on October 16, 2026, finds the PJ Bidwell Band exploring the darker side of Americana. The band describes it as a borderland murder ballad about power, harm and the stories that survive a person. Co-written with Eric Cunningham, the track opens with Spanish-style nylon-string guitar before acoustic and electric guitars, pedal steel, trumpet, organ and a rhythm section gradually build the musical landscape.
I lived in Spain for a while — Segovia, for anyone interested in these things! — and there is something of the Spanish night about this song. Warm evenings, a beat in the air and the past drifting through the stones. I loved the musical montage the band presents, from the trumpet to the guitars, with the whole arrangement providing a really interesting listen and a story to tell. There’s a mean rhythm section in there, too, giving the track a welcome sense of movement.
“Culebra” caught my attention, so I went exploring through PJ Bidwell’s back catalogue. Two tracks in particular grabbed me, and I think they’re worth a listen, too!
“$100 Bill”
At 2:43, this track whips along with the spirit of no-nonsense, fun-loving rock ’n’ roll. It’s a bit of fun, belonging to the days of easy rolling, dance halls and a smile. There’s a tongue-in-cheek quality to it — or at least I hope there is! — as our protagonist checks out the women coming into the bar and considers them in his own particular way. It’s an entertaining little slice of barroom storytelling, delivered without any unnecessary fuss. And speaking as a 10/10 girl, a $100- bill does not do me justice!
“Whiskey and Tea”
I’m more of a cup-of-tea kind of person myself! This track, however, is right up my street. It’s a song about love and personality, reflective in places but delivered with a knowing wink. Musically, we’re firmly in country Americana territory, with that unmistakable American sound. They don’t write quite like this here in the UK!
I particularly enjoyed the backing harmonies, the twang in the guitars and the relaxed style of delivery. There’s an ease to the performance that allows the storytelling to take centre stage, without the music ever feeling like an afterthought.
The final word
These three tracks offer a useful introduction to different sides of PJ Bidwell’s songwriting. “$100 Bill” brings the fun, “Whiskey and Tea” gives us a more reflective glimpse of his storytelling, while “Culebra” takes us somewhere darker, with its borderland setting and atmospheric blend of guitars, trumpet and pedal steel.
For me, “Culebra” is the one that opened the door. Its Spanish-tinged atmosphere caught my imagination, while the band’s ability to build a musical setting around a story kept me listening. And that’s what good songwriting does: it takes you somewhere, introduces you to its characters and leaves you with something to think about.
If you’re partial to your Americana with a little grit, a strong sense of place and stories that aren’t afraid to explore the shadows, PJ Bidwell is worth investigating.
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Stream music from PJ Bidwell here
By Lorraine Foley
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